If you’re trying to figure out how to decorate around a TV, you’re not alone.
If you’re trying to figure out how to decorate around a TV, you’re not alone.
TVs are kind of awkward. They’re big, black, and usually the first thing you notice when you walk into a room — even if you’ve put a lot of effort into the rest of the space.
I used to try to hide mine completely. Then I tried building everything around it. Both approaches felt… off.
The truth is, decorating around a TV isn’t about pretending it doesn’t exist. It’s about making it feel like it belongs.
Here’s how to decorate around a TV in a way that looks intentional, balanced, and actually livable.
Tap any photo to see more inspiration on Pinterest.
12 Ways to Decorate Around a TV Without It Taking Over the Room
1. Accept That the TV Is Part of the Room
This sounds obvious, but it’s the biggest mindset shift.
Trying to make the TV disappear usually makes it stand out more. Instead of fighting it, treat it like another design element — one that needs balance, not camouflage.
Once you stop designing against the TV, everything gets easier.
2. Anchor It With a Console or Media Cabinet
A floating TV without anything underneath almost always feels unfinished.
A media console, cabinet, or credenza grounds the TV visually and gives the wall some weight. Even a simple, low-profile piece makes a huge difference.
If the TV feels “stuck on the wall,” this usually fixes it.
3. Use Decor to Soften the Space Around It
The reason TVs feel harsh is because they’re flat and dark.
Adding texture around them — think plants, baskets, books, or ceramics — softens that contrast. You don’t need much. Just enough to break up the solid black rectangle.
This is one of the easiest ways to decorate around a TV without overthinking it.
4. Try a Gallery Wall That Includes the TV
Instead of treating the TV like the odd one out, let it be part of the arrangement.
Surrounding it with framed art or photos helps it blend in rather than stand out. The key is to keep frames cohesive in color or style so the wall doesn’t feel chaotic.
This works especially well in living rooms where the TV is unavoidable.
5. Balance Both Sides of the TV
If everything is heavy on one side of the TV and empty on the other, it will always look off.
You don’t need perfect symmetry, but you do need balance. A tall plant on one side and stacked decor on the other works better than leaving one side blank.
When in doubt, step back and see where your eye naturally goes.
6. Keep Decor Low and Simple Near the Screen
Anything too tall or busy right next to the TV can be distracting.
Stick to lower-profile decor near the screen itself and place taller items slightly farther away. This keeps the focus comfortable when you’re actually watching TV.
Function still matters.
7. Use Lighting to Make It Feel Intentional
Lighting changes everything.
A lamp, wall sconces, or even soft ambient lighting near the TV makes the area feel styled instead of tech-focused. It also helps the TV feel less stark when it’s off.
This is especially helpful in rooms where the TV dominates the wall.
8. Match the Decor to the Room’s Style (Not the TV)
One mistake people make when learning how to decorate around a TV is choosing decor that revolves around the screen instead of the room.
Your decor should match your home’s style — cozy, modern, minimal, eclectic — not the TV itself. When the surrounding pieces feel cohesive, the TV naturally fades into the background.
9. Don’t Overdecorate the Wall
More decor doesn’t always mean better.
If the wall around your TV starts to feel busy or distracting, it probably is. A few well-chosen pieces will always look better than filling every inch.
Negative space helps the TV blend instead of compete.
10. Style the Console, Not Just the Wall
People focus so much on the wall that they forget the area underneath the TV.
Styling the console with a mix of practical and decorative items — books, baskets, plants, or trays — pulls the whole setup together and makes the TV feel grounded.
This step alone can completely change the look of the room.
11. Let the TV Be Black
Trying to “match” the TV with dark decor often backfires.
Instead, use contrast. Light walls, warm wood, greenery, or neutral textures help the TV recede visually instead of standing out.
Sometimes the best move is letting it be what it is.
12. Step Back and Edit
Once you’ve decorated around the TV, walk out of the room and come back in.
If the TV is still the first thing you notice, remove one or two items and reassess. Decorating around a TV is usually about less, not more.